Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

Hello...I am a fellow microscopic colitis sufferer!! My doc says I apparently have both...IBS and the MC. I don't know what to make of things though...I was thrilled to get the diagnosis believe it or not b/c I felt like it was a more "legit" reason for the way I was feeling and a bit easier to explain to family/friends ("an inflammation of my large intestine"). It also seems though that microscopic colitis is not nearly as severe as full blown ulcerative colitis. I bought the book "What to expect the first year: Chrohn's & Colitis" or something like that...similar to Heather's IBS book but I realized (thank goodness) that my symtoms seemed to be on the more mild side. That's relatively speaking of course...I feel terrible for those who have it full blown...they have to have bowel replacements and all kinds of tough things. I hope you don't have it that bad. What prompted you to have another colonoscopy? Just a check-up? In my case, I was diagnosed about 7 years ago with IBS (but had it long before then) and I went to a new GI last fall for a repeat colonoscopy b/c it was getting worse. He also did an endoscopy and found that my stomach is inflamed too and that I have gastritis...lovely (I'm only 35 years old!) I am on Asacol (400 mg) 2 tablets twice a day usually (that's the maintanance dosage) or three time a day. I just posted something about this...I haven't checked my responses yet on this board, but I was saying that I'd like to wean from the Asacol if possible if I can get stable from Heather's diet and the Acacia (I'm only a month into this). I'm going to my GI next week so I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not. I read that Asacol can have bad side effects on your liver and/or kidneys. I also take Librax (Clinidium) which has two medicines in it...one to slow down the bowels I think, and one for anxiety. I think that works way better than the Asacol..but I don't know...as you already know, you never can tell what the heck is working/not working/triggers, etc. with these stupid (excuse me) digestive problems! At one point, my GI told me to take PeptoBismol every day as a preventative. But honestly, nothing has been as good at being preventative as Heather's diet and the SF theory for me (so far). Once I get a flare up, there is no stopping it (IBS-D) except Immodium hours later. Maybe I'd be having more flare ups without the Asacol??? I don't know. Well, hope it helps to know you're not the only one on this site with MC. I tried to post at the other board too but not too much luck. I'll fill you in on what my doc says next week regarding the whole thing.

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Originally IBS-D for a million years!
Then IBS-A, Now a transformed slightly C

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